Think you know the rules? Check out these changes...

The finer details for those who like to know the letter of the law...

8 August 2018

They may be minor tweaks, but there have been a few new rules added to the EFL rulebook this season - relating to manager's technical area behaviour, Carabao Cup climaxes, the transfer deadline and club developed player regulations. Take a look...

Misconduct in the Technical Area Changes have been made to the Code of Conduct which sets out the behaviours expected of occupants of the technical area and establishes how the match officials will implement the Code of Conduct in order to protect the reputation of the EFL and its competitions. The changes are outlined below.

Stage 1 warnings

For any activity considered to be irresponsible behaviour the 4th official will advise the referee at an appropriate stoppage in the game. The referee will delay the re-start of the game and issue a formal Stage 1 warning to the person and show the yellow card.

Irresponsible behaviour includes but is not limited to:

Inappropriate language and / or gestures towards the match officials which are an obvious show of dissent or an attempt to influence the decisions of the match officials

Kicking or throwing water bottles, coats or other similar objects in an obvious show of dissent

Sarcastic clapping and / or other gestures intended to undermine the authority of the match officials

Entering the opponents’ technical area in an inappropriate manner

Gesturing waving an imaginary yellow / red card

Automatic suspensions for accumulating Stage 1 warnings in the technical area

continually fails to comply with the general requirements of the Code or displays further acts of irresponsible behaviour as outlined in Stage 1 above having in both cases received a formal Stage 1 warning from the referee or;

commits a singular act of serious irresponsible behaviour that in the opinion of the 4th Official surpasses the requirement for a formal Stage 1 warning

The 4th official will advise the referee who, at an appropriate stoppage in play, will instruct the person to leave the technical area and go to the designated location identified by the Competition show a direct red card.

If this occurs during half-time (or half-time in extra time) the person will be instructed not to return to the technical area.

The system will be adopted in all EFL competitions, including all three divisions of the Sky Bet EFL, the Carabao Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy.

Transfer WindowFollowing a decision of Clubs in February 2018, the Summer Transfer Window closes for permanent transfers on Thursday 9th August 2018 at 5pm. Clubs in the EFL are still permitted to sign players on standard loan until 5pm on 31st August 2018. The January transfer window is unaffected.

Club Developed PlayersA Club Developed Player is one who has been registered with an EFL Club for a minimum of 12 months prior to the end of his Under 19 Season.

From the start of the 2018-19 season, each EFL Club must include at least one Club Developed Player on a team sheet for each Sky Bet EFL Match (including Play Offs).

This is in addition to the requirement for at least seven Home Grown Players in those matches. Where any club does not name a Club Developed Player on the team sheet, that Club will only be permitted to name up to six (rather than seven) substitutes on that team sheet.

The Club Developed and Home Grown Player requirements do not apply to Carabao Cup or Checkatrade Trophy Games.

Carabao Cup RulesThe following key changes have been made to Carabao Cup Rules:

Removal of extra time in all rounds up to and including the semi-finals, with ties being decided on penalties. This includes the second leg of the semi-final, and the away goals rule will no longer apply.

Clubs participating in the final will still be able to play a 4th substitute in extra time.

Return to the traditional approach of ‘ABAB’ format for taking penalties.